Funa Yurei
These funa yurei are more robust and less skeletal and spooky than the ones Kata meets in Deadly Wish. Note the headgear, however. A white, triangular headdress such as that used in an ancient Buddhist funeral ceremony is a dead giveaway (pardon the pun) of a funa yurei.
If you are sailing off the coast of Japan and the fog sweeps in, beware…you might be approached by a funa yurei.
The spirits of sailors who have died at sea, funa yurei sometimes try to sink boats and sometimes to snag an unlucky soul to take their own place on a ghostly ship. Often a funa yurei will demand a bucket or a ladle from its victims. If they refuse the ghost will sink their ship in vengeance. If given a bucket, the ghost will pour water into the ship, swamping it. How to get out of this hopeless situation? Hand the ghost a bucket or ladle with the bottom removed. It will futilely try to scoop water up with the bottomless vessel, leaving you free to sail quickly away.
(Kata, the heroine of Deadly Wish, did not know this trick. She was forced to try and come up with other ideas to defeat the funa yurei she encountered.)
Read MoreOut of the Fog
I went for a sail on Portland Harbor last week, and this is what loomed up out of the fog. It looked just like a scene from the upcoming Deadly Wish. Next thing you know we’ll hear a drumbeat booming across the water and funa yurei will show up, demanding a new soul to take their place on their ghost ship….
(What are funa yurei, you ask? Stay tuned!)
Read MoreDeadly Flowers Wins Wisconsin Award!
Giddy dancing and excitement around here, because Deadly Flowers has won the 2017 Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla Award, given by the Wisconsin Library Association for “distinguished achievement in children’s literature!”
So delighted. I’ll get to go to a library conference in the scenic Wisconsin Dells and speak to numerous sagacious and exceptional librarians. Can’t wait!
Read MoreDeadly Wish Reviews
“In the face of mounting challenges, a ninja is torn between her mission as guardian of a magical pearl and loyalty to her friends. In this sequel to Deadly Flowers (2016), Kata finds herself in Madame Chiyome’s clutches again, the very person who molded her into the stealth warrior she is today. Kata soon learns that she is up against far more than Madame Chiyome’s wrath…. Even though a true ninja must always act alone, Kata must trust her friends: Jinnai, a thief who professes his love for her; Otani, an ex-samurai-turned-bandit; and her ninja sisters…. As her mission nears its climax, Kata faces an epic battle alone…. Kudos to Thomson for a well-researched story with plausible characters in a fantastical world reminiscent of 16th-century Japan. Jam-packed with thrilling action and hurtling plot twists—readers may forget to breathe.”
–-Kirkus Reviews
Sarah L. Thomson
A children’s book author publishing award-winning nonfiction, poetry, picture books and novels including…
“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews